12 killed in fire at Sri Lankan elderly care home

At least 12 people were killed and eight others injured in a fire that broke out at a home for older people in Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The blaze occurred at an elderly care facility in Anguruwatota, about 55 kilometres from the commercial capital Colombo, says The Reuters.

Police said the fire was later brought under control and the director of the establishment was arrested following the incident.

"A total of 51 people were rescued from the home and they are being looked after by the military and public officials in the area," police spokesperson Frederick Wootler said.

The injured were admitted to hospital for treatment, while authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Wootler said two police teams had been assigned to conduct further inquiries into the incident.